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Homeopathy 2008; 97(03): 141-144
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2008.04.001
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2008

An animal model for the study of Chamomilla in stress and depression: pilot study

Sandra Augusta Gordinho Pinto
1   Faculty of Health Sciences, Brazilian Institute for Homeopathic Studies (FACIS-IBEHE), São Paulo, Brazil
,
Elisabeth Bohland
2   University of Santo Amaro (UNISA), São Paulo, Brazil
,
Cideli de Paula Coelho
1   Faculty of Health Sciences, Brazilian Institute for Homeopathic Studies (FACIS-IBEHE), São Paulo, Brazil
,
Maria Sílvia Furquim de Azevedo Morgulis
4   Morgulis, MSFA, Independent Veterinarian, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Leoni Villano Bonamin
2   University of Santo Amaro (UNISA), São Paulo, Brazil
3   University Paulista (UNIP), São Paulo, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received10 May 2007
revised08 March 2008

accepted17 April 2008

Publication Date:
20 December 2017 (online)

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The behavioral and hematological effects of treatment with Chamomilla 6cH in mice subjected to experimental stress are described. Swiss mice were randomly divided into pairs, one animal was inoculated with Ehrlich's tumor, the other was treated daily with Chamomilla 6cH or control or received no treatment. After 7 days, the animals were observed in an open-field arena and blood samples taken. Mice who cohabitated with a sick cage-mate showed a decrease in their general activity, but those treated with Chamomilla 6cH were less severely affected (p = 0.0426). No hematological changes were observed.

In a second experiment, the forced swimming test was applied to mice pre-treated with Chamomilla 6cH, controls were: water, 10% ethanol or amitriptyline. Only the amitriptyline and ethanol treated groups showed significant excitatory behavior (p = 0.0020), Chamomilla 6cH treated animals' scores intermediate between water control and ethanol or amitriptyline. A decrease in the leukocyte count was observed in the amitriptyline and Chamomilla 6cH treated groups (p = 0.039). These data suggest that treatment with Chamomilla 6cH is related to the recovery of basal behavioral conditions in mice subjected to stressful conditions.

Keywords

Chamomilla - homeopathy - behavior - neuro-immune-modulation
 

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